Pallet and top frame handler for a palletizer and method of handling a pallet and top frame in a palletizer

Abstract

A palletizer for stacking a series of items on a pallet, the palletizer including a pallet hoist for supporting a stack of pallets therein; a pallet lift mechanism mounted for vertical movement within the pallet hoist adjacent to and relative to the stack of pallets, the pallet lift assembly including a pair of spaced, opposed pallet support members mounted on the pallet lift assembly for movement between a retracted position wherein there is clearance between the pallet support member and the stack of pallets, and an extended position wherein the pallet support member is in an interference position relative to the stack of pallets; a top frame dispenser for supporting a supply of top frames; and a carriage for moving pallets and top frames from the pallet hoist and the top frame dispenser, respectively. The carriage includes a carrier having an upper surface, a pallet support mounted on the upper surface to support a pallet thereon, a lower surface, a clamp mounted on the lower surface and a clamp actuator connected to the clamp. The carrier has a width that is less than the distance between the spaced pallet support members.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A palletizer for stacking a series of items on a pallet, said palletizer comprising: 
       a pallet hoist for supporting a stack of pallets therein;  
       a pallet lift mechanism mounted for vertical movement within said pallet hoist adjacent to and relative to the stack of pallets, said pallet lift mechanism including a pair of spaced, opposed pallet support members mounted on said pallet lift mechanism for movement between a retracted position wherein there is clearance between the pallet support members and the stack of pallets, and an extended position wherein said pallet support members are in an interference position relative to said stack of pallets;  
       a top frame dispenser for supporting a supply of top frames; and  
       a carriage for moving pallets and top frames from said pallet hoist and said top frame dispenser, respectively, said carriage including a carrier having an upper surface, a pallet support mounted on the upper surface to support a pallet thereon, a lower surface, a clamp mounted on said lower surface and a clamp actuator connected to said clamp;  
       and wherein said carrier has a width that is less than the distance between said spaced pallet support members.  
     
     
       2. A palletizer as set forth in  claim 1  and further comprising a moveable support for moving a stack of pallets into said pallet hoist. 
     
     
       3. A palletizer as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pallet lift mechanism includes a pallet position sensor for detecting the position of said pallet lift mechanism relative to the stack of pallets. 
     
     
       4. A palletizer as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said pallet position sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
       5. A palletizer as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said clamp actuator causes movement of said clamp to secure a top frame in said clamp. 
     
     
       6. A palletizer as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the top frames have lateral edges and wherein said clamps are engagable with the lateral edges of the upper most top frame supported by the top frame dispenser. 
     
     
       7. A palletizer as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said palletizer includes a pair of spaced rails and said carriage includes opposite side portions having a respective roller mounted on said side portions for connection to a respective one of said rails so that said carriage is moveable in a horizontal direction between said top frame dispenser and said pallet hoist. 
     
     
       8. A palletizer as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said top frame dispenser includes a lift assembly for indexing the supply of top frames upwardly to position the uppermost top frame between said clamp members.